Oasis State Park the site of a summer of activity

May 8, 2003

By Mike Linn

If you’re a hopeless romantic who likes to gaze at the stars, or a rugged outdoors type with an infatuation for snakes, there may be some fun in the future for you.
Oasis State Park officials have a full slate of outdoor and wildlife programs scheduled this summer.
“It’s educational as well as recreational,” Park Manager Jim Whary said. “The programs are great for families, and depending on the subject the children can get very excited and even some of the adults, especially when people bring in stuff found from the Blackwater Draw dig site.”
Every Saturday night from Memorial Day through Labor Day, a speaker will talk about nature and historical sites from around the state, Whary said.
In addition to the summer speakers, Park Ranger Brad Nance has scheduled several nature hikes, where people are likely to see various species of wildlife — lizards, butterflies, plants and birds.
Nance will also explain how certain plants can survive the drought conditions of eastern New Mexico.
On June 28 at dusk, park rangers have scheduled a stargazing party, where Eastern New Mexico University physics teachers will speak about the universe.
The Clovis Astrology Club and the professors — Bill Andersen and Mick Hoffman — will provided telescopes so people can constellations and planets, Nance said.
Stargazing is one of the more popular events during the summer, Nance said, but each program is educational.
“The benefits include learning about the different aspects of the area, the plant life, the constellations, the history about the area, the history of the park … I could go on and on,” Nance said.
Entrance fees to the park for summer programs are $4 a car.
For information or for a schedule of events, call the park manager at 356-5331.

Schedule of events
All events are at Oasis State Park

May 23 at 7:30 p.m.,, Speaker on historical exhibits and the fully restored 19th century ranch house.
May 24 at 7 p.m., Biologist talks about the history of Bitter Lake Wildlife Refuge.
May 31 at 7 p.m., Nature hike.
June 7 at 7 p.m., Reenactment of the life of a Calvary army medic.
June 14 at 6:30 p.m., Program on Cactus of the Chihuahuan Desert.
June 20 at 7 p.m., Discussion about how water evolved in eastern New Mexico.
June 21 at 7 p.m., Nature Hike.
June 28 at dusk, Star-gazing party.
July 5 at 6:30 p.m., Program on birds of the High Plains.
July 12 at 7 p.m., Program on the fishing program in New Mexico
July 19 at 7 p.m., Nature Hike.
July 25 at 7 p.m., Program on rattlesnakes.
July 26 at 8 p.m., Program on the Civilian Conservation Corp.
Aug. 2 at 7 p.m., Program on artifacts found at Blackwater Draw Site.
Aug. 9 at 7:30 p.m., Program on Sugarite Canyon State Park.
Aug. 16 at 7 p.m., Program on Bottomless Lakes State Park and display of live hawk.
Aug. 23 at 7 p.m., Program on the Rio Grand Nature Center.
Aug. 30 at 7 p.m., Nature Hike.